Hiseye，accustomedtothedarkness，metfirstablind-
　　ingglare，andthenhemadeoutthefacesandformsofmanypeople，amidanextravagantdisplayofsplendidrobings——billowylaces，brilliant-huedfinery，ribbons，silksandmistydrapery。Andthenhecaughtthemean。
　　ingofthatjarringhum，andhesawthetired，pale，happyfaceofhiswife，bending，aswereascoreofothers，overhersewingmachine——toiling，toiling。Herewasthefollyshepursued，andtheendofhisquest。
　　Butnothisdeliverance，thougheventhenremorsestruckhim。Hisshamedsoulflutteredoncemorebeforeitretiredtomakeroomfortheotherandbetterone。
　　For，totemperhisthrillofjoy，theshineofthesatinandtheglimmerofornamentsrecalledthedisturbingfigureofthebespangledAmazon，andthebaseduplicatehistoriesitbytheglareoffootlightsandstolendiamonds。Itispastthewisdomofhimwhoonlysetsthescenes，eithertopraiseorblametheman。Butthistimehisloveover-
　　camehisscruples。Hetookaquickstep，andreachedouthishandforthedoorknob。FatherRoganwasquickertoarrestitanddrawhimback。
　　"Youusemytrustinyouqueerly，"saidtheprieststernly。"Whatareyouabouttodo？"
　　"Iamgoingtomywife，"saidLorison。"Letmepass。"
　　"Listen，"saidthepriest，holdinghimfirmlybythearm。"Iamabouttoputyouinpossessionofapieceofknowledgeofwhich，thusfar，youhavescarcelyproveddeserving。Idonotthinkyoueverwill；butIwillnotdwelluponthat。Youseeinthatroomthewomanyoumarried，workingforafrugallivingforherself，andagenerouscomfortforanidolizedbrother。Thisbuildingbelongstothechiefcostumerofthecity。FormonthstheadvanceordersforthecomingMardiGrasfestivalshavekepttheworkgoingdayandnight。ImyselfsecuredemploymenthereforNorah。Shetoilshereeachnightfromnineo'clockuntildaylight，and，besides，carrieshomewithhersomeofthefinercostumes，requiringmoredelicateneedlework，andworkstherepartoftheday。
　　Somehow，youtwohaveremainedstrangelyignorantofeachother'slives。Areyouconvincednowthatyourwifeisnotwalkingthestreets？"
　　"Letmegotoher，"criedLorison，againstruggling，"andbegherforgiveness!'
　　"Sir，"saidthepriest，"doyouowemenothing？Bequiet。ItseemssooftenthatHeavenletsfallitschoicestgiftsintohandsthatmustbetaughttoholdthem。Listenagain。Youforgotthatrepentantsinmustnotcomprom-
　　ise，butlookup，forredemption，tothepurestandbest。
　　Youwenttoherwiththefine-spunsophistrythatpeacecouldbefoundinamutualguilt；andshe，fearfuloflosingwhatherheartsocraved，thoughtitworththepricetobuyitwithadesperate，pure，beautifullie。Ihaveknownhersincethedayshewasborn；sheisasinnocentandunsulliedinlifeanddeedasaholysaint。Inthatlowlystreetwhereshedwellsshefirstsawthelight，andshehaslivedthereeversince，spendingherdaysingenerousself-sacrificeforothers。Och，yespalpeen!"continuedFatherRogan，raisinghisfingerinkindlyangeratLorison。
　　"Whatfor，Iwonder，couldshebeaftermakingafoolofhersilf，andshamin'herswatesoulwithlies，forthelikeofyou!"
　　"Sir，"saidLorison，trembling，"saywhatyoupleaseofme。Doubtitasyoumust，Iwillyetprovemygratitudetoyou，andmydevotiontoher。Butletmespeaktoheroncenow，letmekneelforjustonemomentatherfeet，and——"
　　"Tut，tut!"saidthepriest。"Howmanyactsofalovedramadoyouthinkanoldbookwormlikemecapableofwitnessing？Besides，whatkindoffiguresdowecut，spyinguponthemysteriesofmidnightmillinery!Gotomeetyourwifeto-morrow，assheorderedyou，andobeyherthereafter，andmaybesometimeIshallgetforgive-
　　nessforthepartIhaveplayedinthisnight'swork。Offwidyezdowntheshtairs，now!'Tislate，andanouldmanlikemeshouldbetakin'hisrest。"
　　MADAMEBO-PEEP，OFTHERANCHES
　　"AUNTELLEN，"saidOctavia，cheerfully，asshethrewherblackkidglovescarefullyatthedignifiedPersiancatonthewindow-seat，"I'mapauper。"
　　"Youaresoextremeinyourstatements，Octavia，dear，"saidAuntEllen，mildly，lookingupfromherpaper。
　　"Ifyoufindyourselftemporarilyinneedofsomesmallchangeforbonbons，youwillfindmypurseinthedrawerofthewritingdesk。"
　　OctaviaBeaupreeremovedherhatandseatedherselfonafootstoolnearheraunt'schair，claspingherhandsaboutherknees。Herslimandflexiblefigure，cladinamodishmourningcostume，accommodateditselfeasilyandgracefullytothetryingposition。Herbrightandyouthfulface，withitspairofsparkling，life-enamouredeyes，triedtocomposeitselftotheseriousnessthattheoccasionseemedtodemand。
　　"Yougoodauntie，itisn'tacaseofbonbons；itisabject，staring，unpicturesquepoverty，withready-madeclothes，gasolinedgloves，andprobablyoneo'clockdinnersallwaitingwiththetraditionalwolfatthedoor。I'vejustcomefrommylawyer，auntie，and，'Please，ma'am，I
　　ain'tgotnothink'tall。Flowers，lady？Buttonhole，gentleman？Pencils，sir，threeforfive，tohelpapoorwidow？'DoIdoitnicely，auntie，or，asabread-winneraccomplishment，weremylessonsinelocutionentirelywasted？"
　　"Dobeserious，mydear，"saidAuntEllen，lettingherpaperfalltothefloor，"longenoughtotellmewhatyoumean。ColonelBeaupree'sestate——"
　　"ColonelBeaupree'sestate，"interruptedOctavia，emphasizingherwordswithappropriatedramaticges-
　　tures，"isofSpanishcastellararchitecture。ColonelBeaupree'sresourcesare——wind。ColonelBeaupree'sstocksare——water。ColonelBeaupree'sincomeis——
　　allin。ThestatementlacksthelegaltechnicalitiestowhichIhavebeenlisteningforanhour，butthatiswhatitmeanswhentranslated。"
　　"Octavia!"AuntEllenwasnowvisiblypossessedbyconsternation。"Icanhardlybelieveit。Anditwastheimpressionthathewasworthamillion。AndtheDePeystersthemselvesintroducedhim!"
　　Octaviarippledoutalaugh，andthenbecameproperlygrave。
　　"Demortuisnil，auntie——noteventherestofit。Thedearoldcolonel——whatagoldbrickhewas，afterall!
　　Ipaidformybargainfairly——I'mallhere，amInot？——
　　items:eyes，fingers，toes，youth，oldfamily，unques-
　　tionablepositioninsocietyascalledforinthecontractnowild-catstockhere。"Octaviapickedupthemorningpaperfromthefloor。"ButI'mnotgoingto'squeal'——isn'tthatwhattheycallitwhenyourailatFortunebecauseyou've，lostthegame？"Sheturnedthepagesofthepapercalmly。"'Stockmarket'——nouseforthat。'Society'sdoings'——that'sdone。Hereismypage——thewishcolumn。AVanDressercouldnotbesaidto'want'foranything，ofcourse。'Chamber-
　　maids，cooks，canvassers，stenographers-"
　　"Dear，"saidAuntEllen，withalittletremorinhervoice，"pleasedonottalkinthatway。Evenifyouraffairsareinsounfortunateacondition，thereismythreethousand——"
　　Octaviaspranguplithely，anddepositedasmartkissonthedelicatecheekoftheprimlittleelderlymaid。
　　"Blessedauntie，yourthreethousandisjustsufficienttoinsureyourHysontobefreefromwillowleavesandkeepthePersianinsterilizedcream。IknowI'dbewelcome，butIprefertostrikebottomlikeBeelzebubratherthanhangaroundlikethePerilisteningtothemusicfromthesideentrance。I'mgoingtoearnmyownliving。There'snothingelsetodo。I'ma——Oh，oh，oh!——
　　Ihadforgotten。There'sonethingsavedfromthewreck。It'sacorral——no，aranchin——letmesee——
　　Texas:anasset，dearoldMr。Bannistercalledit。Howpleasedhewastoshowmesomethinghecoulddescribeasunencumbered!I'veadescriptionofitamongthosestupidpapershemademebringawaywithmefromhisoffice。I'lltrytofindit。"
　　Octaviafoundhershopping-bag，anddrewfromitalongenvelopefilledwithtypewrittendocuments。
　　"AranchinTexas，"sighedAuntEllen。"Itsoundstomemorelikealiabilitythananasset。Thosearetheplaceswherethecentipedesarefound，andcowboys，andfandangos。"
　　"'TheRanchodelasSombras，'"readOctaviafromasheetofviolentlypurpletypewriting"'issituatedonehundredandtenmilessoutheastofSanAntonio，andthirty-eightmilesfromitsnearestrailroadstation，Nopal，ontheI。andG。N。Ranch，consistsof7，680acresofwell-
　　wateredland，withtitleconferredbyStatepatents，andtwenty-twosections，or14，080acres，partlyunderyearlyrunningleaseandpartlyboughtunderState'stwenty-
　　year-purchaseact。Eightthousandgradedmerinosheep，withthenecessaryequipmentofhorses，vehiclesandgeneralranchparaphernalia。Ranch-housebuiltofbrick，withsixroomscomfortablyfurnishedaccordingtotherequirementsoftheclimate。Allwithinastrongbarbed-wirefence。
　　"'Thepresentranchmanagerseemstobecompetentandreliable，andisrapidlyplacinguponapayingbasisabusinessthat，inotherhands，hadbeenallowedtosufferfromneglectandmisconduct。
　　"'ThispropertywassecuredbyColonelBeaupreeinadealwithaWesternirrigationsyndicate，andthetitletoitseemstobeperfect。Withcarefulmanagementandthenaturalincreaseoflandvalues，itoughttobemadethefoundationforacomfortablefortuneforitsowner。'"
　　WhenOctaviaceasedreading，AuntEllenutteredsomethingasnearasniffasherbreedingpermitted。
　　"Theprospectus，"shesaid，withuncompromisingmetropolitansuspicion，"doesn'tmentionthecentipedes，ortheIndians。Andyouneverdidlikemutton，Octavia。
　　Idon'tseewhatadvantageyoucanderivefromthis——
　　desert。"
　　ButOctaviawasinatrance。Hereyesweresteadilyregardingsomethingquitebeyondtheirfocus。Herlipswereparted，andherfacewaslightedbythekindlingfuroroftheexplorer，theardent，stirringdisquietoftheadventurer。Suddenlysheclaspedherhandstogetherexultantly。
　　"Theproblemsolvesitself，auntie，"shecried。"I'mgoingtothatranch。I'mgoingtoliveonit。I'mgoingtolearntolikemutton，andevenconcedethegoodqualitiesofcentipedes——atarespectfuldistance。It'sjustwhatIneed。It'sanewlifethatcomeswhenmyoldoneisjustending。It'sarelease，auntie；itisn'tanarrow-
　　ing。Thinkofthegallopsoverthoseleaguesofprairies，withthewindtuggingattherootsofyourhair，thecom-
　　ingclosetotheearthandlearningoveragainthestoriesofthegrowinggrassandthelittlewildflowerswithoutnames!Gloriousiswhatitwillbe。ShallIbeashepherdesswithaWatteauhat，andacrooktokeepthebadwolvesfromthelambs，oratypicalWesternranchgirl，withshorthair，likethepicturesofherintheSundaypapers？Ithinkthelatter。Andthey'llhavemypicture，too，withthewild-catsI'veslain，single-handed，hangingfrommysaddlehorn。'FromtheFourHundredtotheFlocks'isthewaythey'llheadlineit，andthey'llprintphotographsoftheoldVanDressermansionandthechurchwhereIwasmarried。Theywon'thavemypicture，butthey'llgetanartisttodrawit。I'llbewildandwoolly，andI'llgrowmyownwool。"
　　"Octavia!"AuntEllencondensedintotheonewordalltheprotestsshewasunabletoutter。
　　"Don'tsayaword，auntie。I'mgoing。I'llseetheskyatnightfitdownontheworldlikeabigbutter-dishcover，andI'llmakefriendsagainwiththestarsthatI
　　haven'thadachatwithsinceIwasaweechild。Iwishtogo。I'mtiredofallthis。I'mgladIhaven'tanymoney。IcouldblessColonelBeaupreeforthatranch，andforgivehimforallhisbubbles。Whatifthelifewillberoughandlonely!I——Ideserveit。Ishutmyhearttoeverythingexceptthatmiserableambition。I——oh，Iwishtogoaway，andforget——forget!"
　　Octaviaswervedsuddenlytoherknees，laidherflushedfaceinheraunt'slap，andshookwithturbulentsobs。
　　AuntEllenbentoverher，andsmoothedthecoppery-
　　brownhair。
　　"Ididn'tknow，"shesaid，gently；"Ididn'tknow——
　　that。Whowasit，dear？
　　WhenMrs。OctaviaBeaupree，n閑VanDresser，steppedfromthetrainatNopal，hermannerlost，forthemoment，someofthateasycertitudewhichhadalwaysmarkedhermovements。Thetownwasofrecentestab-
　　lishment，andseemedtohavebeenhastilyconstructedofundressedlumberandflappingcanvas。Theelementthathadcongregatedaboutthestation，thoughnotoffensivelydemonstrative，wasclearlycomposedofcitizensaccustomedtoandpreparedforrudealarms。
　　Octaviastoodontheplatform，againstthetelegraphoffice，andattemptedtochoosebyintuitionfromtheswaggering，stragglingstring，ofloungers，themanageroftheRanchodelasSombras，whohadbeeninstructedbyMr。Bannistertomeetherthere。Thattall，serious，looking，elderlymanintheblueflannelshirtandwhitetieshethoughtmustbehe。But，no；hepassedby，removinghisgazefromtheladyashersrestedonhim，accordingtotheSoutherncustom。Themanager，shethought，withsomeimpatienceatbeingkeptwaiting，shouldhavenodifficultyinselectingher。Youngwomenwearingthemostrecentthinginash-colouredtravellingsuitswerenotsoplentifulinNopal!
　　Thuskeepingaspeculativewatchonallpersonsofpossiblemanagerialaspect，Octavia，withacatchingbreathandastartofsurprise，suddenlybecameawareofTeddyWestlakehurryingalongtheplatforminthedirectionofthetrain——ofTeddyWestlakeorhissun-
　　brownedghostincheviot，bootsandleather-girdledhat——TheodoreWestlake，Jr。，amateurpoloalmost
　　champion，all-roundbutterflyandcumbererofthesoil；
　　butabroader，surer，moreemphasizedanddeterminedTeddythantheoneshehadknownayearagowhenlastshesawhim。
　　HeperceivedOctaviaatalmostthesametime，deflectedhiscourse，andsteeredforherinhisold，straightforwardway。Somethinglikeawecameuponherasthestrange-
　　nessofhismetamorphosiswasbroughtintocloserrange；
　　therich，red-brownofhiscomplexionbroughtoutsovividlyhisstraw-colouredmustacheandsteel-grayeyes。
　　Heseemedmoregrown-up，and，somehow，fartheraway。
　　But，whenhespoke，theold，boyishTeddycamebackagain。Theyhadbeenfriendsfromchildhood。
　　"Why，'Tave!"heexclaimed，unabletoreducehisperplexitytocoherence。"How——what——when——
　　where？"
　　"Train，"saidOctavia；"necessity；tenminutesago；
　　home。Yourcomplexion'sgone，Teddy。Now，how——
　　what——when——where？"
　　"I'mworkingdownhere，"saidTeddy。Hecastsideglancesaboutthestationasonedoeswhotriestocombinepolitenesswithduty。
　　"Youdidn'tnoticeonthetrain，"heasked，"anoldladywithgraycurlsandapoodle，whooccupiedtwoseatswithherbundlesandquarrelledwiththeconductor，didyou？"
　　"Ithinknot，"answeredOctavia，reflecting。"Andyouhaven't，byanychance，noticedabig，gray-mustachedmaninablueshirtandsix-shooters，withlittleflakesofmerinowoolstickinginhishair，haveyou？"
　　"Lotsof'em，"saidTeddy，withsymptomsofmentaldeliriumunderthestrain。Doyouhappentoknowanysuchindividual？"
　　"No；thedescriptionisimaginary。Isyourinterestintheoldladywhomyoudescribeapersonalone？"
　　"Neversawherinmylife。She'spaintedentirelyfromfancy。SheownsthelittlepieceofpropertywhereI
　　earnmybreadandbutter-theRanchodelasSombras。
　　Idroveuptomeetheraccordingtoarrangementwithherlawyer。"
　　Octavialeanedagainstthewallofthetelegraphoffice。
　　Wasthispossible？Anddidn'theknow？
　　"Areyouthemanagerofthatranch？"sheaskedweakly。
　　"Iam，"saidTeddy，withpride。
　　"IamMrs。Beaupree，"saidOctaviafaintly；"butmyhairneverwouldcurl，andIwaspolitetotheconductor。"
　　Foramomentthatstrange，grown-uplookcameback，andremovedTeddymilesawayfromher。
　　"Ihopeyou'llexcuseme，"hesaid，ratherawkwardly。
　　"Yousee，I'vebeendownhereinthechaparralayear。
　　Ihadn'theard。Givemeyourchecks，please，andI'llhaveyourtrapsloadedintothewagon。Jos？willfollowwiththem。Wetravelaheadinthebuckboard。"
　　SeatedbyTeddyinafeather-weightbuckboard，behindapairofwild，cream-colouredSpanishponies，Octaviaabandonedallthoughtfortheexhilarationofthepresent。
　　Theysweptoutofthelittletownanddownthelevelroadtowardthesouth。Soontheroaddwindledanddis-
　　appeared，andtheystruckacrossaworldcarpetedwithanendlessreachofcurlymesquitegrass。Thewheelsmadenosound。Thetirelessponiesboundedaheadatanunbrokengallop。Thetemperatewind，madefragrantbythousandsofacresofblueandyellowwildflowers，roaredgloriouslyintheirears。Themotionwasa雛ial，ecstatic，withathrillingsenseofperpetuityinitseffect。
　　Octaviasatsilent，possessedbyafeelingofelemental，sensualbliss。Teddyseemedtobewrestlingwithsomeinternalproblem。
　　"I'mgoingtocallyoumadama，"heannouncedastheresultofhislabours。"ThatiswhattheMexicanswillcallyou——they'renearlyallMexicansontheranch，youknow。Thatseemstomeabouttheproperthing。"
　　"Verywell，Mr。Westlake，"saidOctavia，primly。
　　"Oh，now，"saidTeddy，insomeconsternation，"that'scarryingthethingtoofar，isn'tit？"
　　"Don'tworrymewithyourbeastlyetiquette。I'mjustbeginningtolive。Don'tremindmeofanythingartificial。Ifonlythisaircouldbebottled!Thismuchaloneisworthcomingfor。Oh，lookItheregoesadeer!"
　　"Jack-rabbit，"saidTeddy，withoutturninghishead。
　　"CouldI——mightIdrive？"suggestedOctavia，pant-
　　ing，withrose-tintedcheeksandtheeyeofaneagerchild。
　　"Ononecondition。CouldI——mightIsmoke？"
　　"Forever!"criedOctavia，takingthelineswithsolemnjoy。"HowshallIknowwhichwaytodrive？"
　　"Keephersou'bysou'east，andallsailset。YouseethatblackspeckonthehorizonunderthatlowermostGulfcloud？That'sagroupoflive-oaksandaland-
　　mark。Steerhalfwaybetweenthatandthelittlehilltotheleft。I'llreciteyouthewholecodeofdrivingrulesfortheTexasprairies:keepthereinsfromunderthehorses'feet，andswearat'emfrequent。"
　　"I'mtoohappytoswear，Ted。Oh，whydopeoplebuyyachtsortravelinpalace-cars，whenabuckboardandapairofplugsandaspringmorninglikethiscansatisfyalldesire？"
　　"Now，I'llaskyou，"protestedTeddy，whowasfutilelystrikingmatchaftermatchonthedashboard，"nottocallthosedenizensoftheairplugs。Theycankickoutahundredmilesbetweendaylightanddark。"Atlasthesucceededinsnatchingalightforhiscigarfromtheflameheldinthehollowofhishands。
　　"Room!"saidOctavia，intensely。"That'swhatproducestheeffect。IknownowwhatI'vewanted——
　　scope——range——room!"
　　"Smoking-room，"saidTeddy，unsentimentally。"I
　　lovetosmokeinabuckboard。Thewindblowsthesmokeintoyouandoutagain。Itsavesexertion。"
　　Thetwofellsonaturallyintotheirold-timegoodfellow-
　　shipthatitwasonlybydegreesthatasenseofthestrange-
　　nessofthenewrelationsbetweenthemcametobefelt。
　　"Madama，"saidTeddy，wonderingly，"howeverdidyougetitintoyourbeadtocutthecrowdandcomedownhere？IsitafadnowamongtheupperclassestotrotofftosheepranchesinsteadoftoNewport？"
　　"Iwasbroke，Teddy，"saidOctavia，sweetly，withherinterestcentreduponsteeringsafelybetweenaSpanishdaggerplantandaclumpofchaparral；"Ihaven'tathingintheworldbutthisranch——notevenanyotherhometogoto。"
　　"Come，now，"saidTeddy，anxiouslybutineredu-
　　lously，"youdon'tmeanit？"
　　"Whenmyhusband，"saidOctavia，withashyslurringoftheword，"diedthreemonthsagoIthoughtIhadareasonableamountoftheworld'sgoods。Hislawyerexplodedthattheoryinasixty-minutefullyillustratedlecture。Itooktothesheepasalastresort。DoyouhappentoknowofanyfashionablecapriceamongthegildedyouthofManhattanthatinducesthemtoabandonpoloandclubwindowstobecomemanagersofsheepranches？"
　　"It'seasilyexplainedinmycase，"respondedTeddy，promptly。"Ihadtogotowork。Icouldn'thaveearnedmyboardinNewYork，soIchummedawhilewitholdSandford，oneofthesyndicatethatownedtheranchbeforeColonelBeaupreeboughtit，andgotaplacedownhere。
　　Iwasn'tmanageratfirst。Ijoggedaroundonponiesandstudiedthebusinessindetail，untilIgotallthepointsinmyhead。Isawwhereitwaslosingandwhatthereme-
　　dieswere，andthenSandfordputmeincharge。Igetahundreddollarsamonth，andIearnit。"
　　"PoorTeddy!"saidOctavia，withasmile。
　　"Youneedn't。Ilikeit。Isavehalfmywages，andI'mashardasawaterplug。Itbeatspolo。"
　　"Willitfurnishbreadandteaandjamforanotherout-
　　castfromcivilization？"
　　"Thespringshearing，"saidthemanager，"justcleanedupadeficitinlastyear'sbusiness。Wastefulnessandinattentionhavebeentheruleheretofore。Theautumnclipwillleaveasmallprofitoverallexpenses。Nextyeartherewillbejam。"
　　When，aboutfouro'clockintheafternoon，theponiesroundedagentle，brush-coveredhill，andthenswooped，likeadoublecream-colouredcyclone，upontheRanchodelasSombras，Octaviagavealittlecryofdelight。A
　　lordlygroveofmagnificentlive-oakscastanareaofgrateful，coolshade，whencetheranchhaddrawnitsname，"delasSombras"——oftheshadows。Thehouse，ofredbrick，onestory，ranlowandlongbeneaththetrees。
　　Throughitsmiddle，dividingitssixroomsinhalf，extendedabroad，archedpassageway，picturesquewithfloweringcactusandhangingredearthernjars。A"gallery，"lowandbroad，encircledthebuilding。Vinesclimbedaboutit，andtheadjacentgroundwas，foraspace，coveredwithtransplantedgrassandshrubs。Alittlelake，longandnarrow，glimmeredinthesunattherear。FurtherawaystoodtheshacksoftheMexicanworkers，thecorrals，woolshedsandshearingpens。Totherightlaythelowhills，splatteredwithdarkpatchesofchaparral；tothelefttheunboundedgreenprairieblendingagainsttheblueheavens。
　　"It'sahome，Teddy，"saidOctavia，breathlessly；
　　that'swhatitis——it'sahome。"
　　"Notsobadforasheepranch，"admittedTeddy，withexcusablepride。"I'vebeentinkeringonitatoddtimes。"
　　AMexicanyouthsprangfromsomewhereinthegrass，andtookchargeofthecreams。Themistressandthemanagerenteredthehouse。
　　"Here'sMrs。MacIntyre，"saidTeddy，asaplacid，neat，elderlyladycameoutuponthegallerytomeetthem。"Mrs。Mac，here'stheboss。Verylikelyshewillbewantingahunkofhamandadishofbeansafterherdrive。"
　　Mrs。MacIntyre，thehousekeeper，asmuchafixtureontheplaceasthelakeorthelive-oaks，receivedtheimputationoftheranch'sresourcesofrefreshmentwithmildindignation，andwasabouttogiveitutterancewhenOctaviaspoke。
　　"Oh，Mrs。MacIntyre，don'tapologizeforTeddy。
　　Yes，IcallhimTeddy。Sodoeseveryonewhomhehasn'tdupedintotakinghimseriously。Yousee，weusedtocutpaperdollsandplayjackstrawstogetheragesago。Noonemindswhathesays。"
　　"No，"saidTeddy，"noonemindswhathesays，justsohedoesn'tdoitagain。"
　　Octaviacastoneofthosesubtle，sidelongglancestowardhimfrombeneathherloweredeyelids——aglancethatTeddyusedtodescribeasanupper-cut。Buttherewasnothinginhisingenuous，weather-tannedfacetowarrantasuspicionthathewasmakinganallusion——
　　nothing。Beyondadoubt，thoughtOctavia，hehadforgotten。
　　"Mr。Westlakelikeshisfun，"saidMrs。Maclntyre，assheconductedOctaviatoherrooms。"But，"sheadded，loyally，"peoplearoundhereusuallypayattentiontowhathesayswhenhetalksinearnest。Idon'tknowwhatwouldhavebecomeofthisplacewithouthim。"
　　Tworoomsattheeastendofthehousehadbeenarrangedfortheoccupancyoftheranch'smistress。Whensheenteredthemaslightdismayseizedherattheirbareappearanceandthescantinessoftheirfurniture；butshequicklyreflectedthattheclimatewasasemi-tropicalone，andwasmovedtoappreciationofthewell-conceivedeffortstoconformtoit。Thesasheshadalreadybeenremovedfromthebigwindows，andwhitecurtainswavedintheGulfbreezethatstreamedthroughthewidejalousies。
　　Thebarefloorwasamplystrewnwithcoolrugs；thechairswereinviting，deep，dreamywillows；thewallswerepaperedwithalight，cheerfulolive。Onewholesideofhersittingroomwascoveredwithbooksonsmooth，unpaintedpineshelves。Sheflewtotheseatonce。Beforeherwasawell-selectedlibrary。Shecaughtglimpsesoftitlesofvolumesoffictionandtravelnotyetseasonedfromthedampnessofthepress。
　　Presently，recollectingthatshewasnowinawildernessgivenovertomutton，centipedesandprivations，theincongruityoftheseluxuriesstruckher，and，withintuitivefemininesuspicion，shebeganturningtothefly-leavesofvolumeaftervolume。UponeachonewasinscribedinfluentcharactersthenameofTheodoreWestlake，Jr。
　　Octavia，fatiguedbyherlongjourney，retiredearlythatnight。Lyinguponherwhite，coolbed，sheresteddeliciously，butsleepcoquettedlongwithher。Shelistenedtofaintnoiseswhosestrangenesskeptherfacultiesonthealert——thefractiousyelpingofthecoyotes，theceaseless，lowsymphonyofthewind，thedistantboomingofthefrogsaboutthelake，thelamentationofaconcertinaintheMexicans'quarters。Thereweremanyconflictingfeelingsinherheart——thankfulnessandrebellion，peaceanddisquietude，lonelinessandasenseofprotectingcare，happinessandanold，hauntingpain。
　　Shedidwhatanyotherwomanwouldhavedone——
　　soughtreliefinawholesometideofunreasonabletears，andherlastwords，murmuredtoherselfbeforeslumber，capitulating，camesoftlytowooher，were"Hehasforgotten。"
　　ThemanageroftheRanchodelasSombraswasnodilettante。Hewasa"hustler。"Hewasgenerallyup，mounted，andawayofmorningsbeforetherestofthehouseholdwereawake，makingtheroundsoftheflocksandcamps。Thiswasthedutyofthemajordomo，astatelyoldMexicanwithaprincelyairandmanner，butTeddyseemedtohaveagreatdealofconfidenceinhisowneyesight。Exceptinthebusyseasons，henearlyalwaysreturnedtotheranchtobreakfastateighto'clock，withOctaviaandMrs。Maclntyre，atthelittletablesetinthecentralhallway，bringingwithhimatonicandbreezycheerfulnessfullofthehealthandflavouroftheprairies。
　　AfewdaysafterOctavia'sarrivalhemadehergetoutoneofherridingskirts，andcurtailittoashortnessdemandedbythechaparralbrakes。
　　Withsomemisgivingsshedonnedthisandthepairofbuckskinleggingsheprescribedinaddition，and，mounteduponadancingpony，rodewithhimtoviewherposses-
　　sions。Heshowedhereverything——theflocksofewes，muttonsandgrazinglambs，thedippingvats，theshearingpens，theuncouthmerinoramsintheirlittlepasture，thewater-tanksIpreparedagainstthesummerdrought——
　　givingaccountofhisstewardshipwithaboyishenthus-
　　siasmthatneverflagged。
　　WherewastheoldTeddythatsheknewsowell？Thissideofhimwasthesame，anditwasasidethatpleasedher；butthiswasallsheeversawofhimnow。Wherewashissentimentality——thoseold，varyingmoodsofimpetuouslove-making，offanciful，quixoticdevotion，ofheart-breakinggloom，ofalternating，absurdtendernessandhaughtydignity？Hisnaturehadbeenasensitiveone，histemperamentborderingcloselyontheartistic。
　　Sheknewthat，besidesbeingafolloweroffashionanditsfadsandsports，hehadcultivatedtastesofafinernature。
　　Hehadwrittenthings，hehadtamperedwithcolours，hewassomethingofastudentincertainbranchesofart，andonceshehadbeenadmittedtoallhisaspirationsandthoughts。Butnow——andshecouldnotavoidthecon-
　　clusion——Teddyhadbarricadedagainsthereverysideofhimselfexceptone——thesidethatshowedthemanageroftheRanchodelasSombrasandajollychumwhohadforgivenandforgotten。QueerlyenoughthewordsofMr。Bannister'sdescriptionofherpropertycameintohermind——"allinclosedwithinastrongbarbed-wirefence。"
　　"Teddy'sfenced，too，"saidOctaviatoherself。
　　Itwasnotdifficultforhertoreasonoutthecauseofhisfortifications。IthadoriginatedonenightattheHammersmiths'ball。ItoccurredatatimesoonaftershehaddecidedtoacceptColonelBeaupreeandhismillion，whichwasnomorethanherlooksandtheentr閑
　　sheheldtotheinnercircleswereworth。Teddyhadproposedwithallhisimpetuosityandfire，andshelookedhimstraightintheeyes，ansaid，coldlyandfinally:
　　"Neverletmehearanysuchsillynonsensefromyouagain。""Youwon't，"saidTeddy，withanexpressionaroundhismouth，and——nowTeddywasinclosedwithinastrongbarbed-wirefence。
　　ItwasonthisfirstrideofinspectionthatTeddywasseizedbytheinspirationthatsuggestedthenameofMotherGoose'sheroine，andheatoncebestowedituponOctavia。Theidea，supportedbybothasimilarityofnamesandidentityofoccupations，seemedtostrikehimasapeculiarlyhappyone，andhenevertiredofusingit。
　　TheMexicansontheranchalsotookupthename，addinganothersyllabletoaccommodatetheirlingualincapacityforthefinal"p，"gravelyreferringtoheras"LaMadamaBo-Peepy。"Eventuallyitspread，and"MadameBo-
　　Peep'sranch"wasasoftenmentionedasthe"RanchodelasSombras。"
　　Camethelong，hotseasonfromMaytoSeptember，whenworkisscarceontheranches。Octaviapassedthedaysinakindoflotus-eater'sdream。Books，hammocks，correspondencewithafewintimatefriends，arenewedinterestinheroldwater-colourboxandeasel——thesedisposedofthesultryhoursofdaylight。Theeveningswerealwayssuretobringenjoyment。BestofallweretherapturoushorsebackrideswithTeddy，whenthemoongavelightoverthewind-sweptleagues，chaperonedbythewheelingnight-hawkandthestartledowl。OftentheMexicanswouldcomeupfromtheirshackswiththeirguitarsandsingtheweirdestofheart-breakingsongs。
　　Therewerelong，cosychatsonthebreezygallery，andaninterminablewarfareofwitsbetweenTeddyandMrs。
　　MacIntyre，whoseabundantScotchshrewdnessoftenmorethanovermatchedthelighterhumourinwhichshewaslacking。
　　Andthenightscame，oneafteranother，andwerefiledawaybyweeksandmonths——nightssoftandlanguorousandfragrant，thatshouldhavedrivenStrephontoChloeoverwireshoweverbarbed，thatmighthavedrawnCupidhimselftohunt，lassoinhand，amongthoseamorouspastures——butTeddykepthisfencesup。
　　OneJulynightMadameBo-Peepandherranchman-
　　agerweresittingontheeastgallerv。Teddyhadbeenexhaustingthescienceofprognosticationastotheproba-
　　bilitiesofapriceoftwenty-fourcentsfortheautumnclip，andhadthensubsidedintoananestheticcloudofHavanasmoke。OnlyasincompetentajudgeasawomanwouldhavefailedtonotelongagothatatleastathirdofhissalarymusthavegoneupinthefumesofthoseimportedRegalias。
　　"Teddy，"saidOctavia，suddenly，andrathersharply，"whatareyouworkingdownhereonaranchfor？"
　　"Onehundredper，"saidTeddy，glibly，"andfound。"
　　"I'veagoodmindtodischargeyou。"
　　"Can'tdoit，"saidTeddy，withagrin。
　　"Whynot？"demandedOctavia，withargumentativeheat。
　　"Undercontract。Termsofsalerespectallunexpiredcontracts。Minerunsuntil12P。m。，Decemberthirty-first。
　　Youmightgetupatmidnightonthatdateandfireme。
　　ifyoutryitsoonerI'llbeinapositiontobringlegalproceedings。"
　　Octaviaseemedtobeconsideringtheprospectsoflitigation。
　　"But，"continuedTeddycheerfully，"I'vebeenthink-
　　ingofresigninganyway。"
　　Octavia'srocking-chairceaseditsmotion。Therewerecentipedesinthiscountry，shefeltsure；andIndians，andvast，lonely，desolate，emptywastes；allwithinstrongbarbed-wirefence。TherewasaVanDresserpride，buttherewasalsoaVanDresserheart。Shemustknowforcertainwhetherornothehadforgotten。
　　"Ah，well，Teddy，"shesaid，withafineassumptionofpoliteinterest，"it'slonelydownhere；you'relongingtogetbacktotheoldlife——topoloandlobstersandtheatresandballs。"
　　"Nevercaredmuchforballs，"saidTeddyvirtuously。
　　"You'regettingold，Teddy。Yourmemoryisfailing。
　　Nobodyeverknewyoutomissadance，unlessitoccurredonthesamenightwithanotheronewhichyouattended。
　　Andyoushowedsuchshockingbadtaste，too，indancingtoooftenwiththesamepartner。Letmesee，whatwasthatForbesgirl'sname——theonewithwalleyes——
　　Mabel，wasn'tit？"
　　"No；Ad閘e。Mabelwastheonewiththebonyelbows。Thatwasn'twallinAd閘e'seyes。Itwassoul。
　　Weusedtotalksonnetstogether，andVerlaine。JustthenIwastryingtorunapipefromthePierianspring。"
　　"Youwereonthefloorwithher，"saidOctavia，unde-
　　flected，"fivetimesattheHammersmiths'。"
　　"Hammersmiths'what？"questionedTeddy，vacuously。
　　"Ball——ball，"saidOctavia，viciously。"Whatwerewetalkingof？"
　　"Eyes，Ithought，"saidTeddy，aftersomereflection；
　　"andelbows。"
　　"ThoseHammersmiths，"wentonOctavia，inhersweetestsocietyprattle，aftersubduinganintensedesiretoyankahandfulofsunburnt，sandyhairfromtheheadlyingbackcontentedlyagainstthecanvasofthesteamerchair，"hadtoomuchmoney。Mines，wasn'tit？Itwassomethingthatpaidsomethingtotheton。Youcouldn'tgetaglassofplainwaterintheirhouse。Everythingatthatballwasdreadfullyoverdone。"
　　"Itwas，"saidTeddy。
　　"Suchacrowdtherewas!"Octaviacontinued，con-
　　sciousthatshewastalkingtherapiddrivelofaschool-
　　girldescribingherfirstdance。"Thebalconieswereaswarmastherooms。I——lost——somethingatthatball。"
　　Thelastsentencewasutteredinatonecalculatedtoremovethebarbsfrommilesofwire。
　　"SodidI，"confessedTeddy，inalowervoice。
　　"Aglove，"saidOctavia，fallingbackastheenemyapproachedherditches。
　　"Caste，"saidTeddy，haltinghisfiringlinewithoutloss。"Ihobnobbed，halftheeveningwithoneofHammersmith'sminers，afellowwhokepthishandsinhispockets，andtalkedlikeanarchangelaboutreductionplantsanddriftsandlevelsandsluice-boxes。"
　　"Apearl-grayglove，nearlynew，"sighedOctavia，mournfully。
　　"Abang-upchap，thatMcArdle，"maintainedTeddyapprovingly。"Amanwhohatedolivesandelevators；
　　amanwhohandledmountainsascroquettes，andbuilttunnelsintheair；amanwhoneverutteredawordofsillynonsenseinhislife。Didyousignthoselease-
　　renewalapplicationsyet，madama？They'vegottobeonfileinthelandofficebythethirty-first。"
　　Teddyturnedhisheadlazily。Octavia'schairwasvacant。
　　Acertaincentipede，crawlingalongthelinesmarkedoutbyfate，expoundedthesituation。ItwasearlyonemorningwhileOctaviaandMrs。Maclntyreweretrim-
　　mingthehoneysuckleonthewestgallery。Teddyhadrisenanddepartedhastilybeforedaylightinresponsetowordthataflockofeweshadbeenscatteredfromtheirbeddinggroundduringthenightbyathunder-storm。
　　Thecentipede，drivenbydestiny，showedhimselfonthefloorofthegallery，andthen，thescreechesofthetwowomengivinghimhiscue，hescuttledwithallhisyellowlegsthroughtheopendoorintothefurthermostwestroom，whichwasTeddy's。Armingthemselveswithdomesticutensilsselectedwithregardtotheirlength，OctaviaandMrs。Maclntyre，withmuchclutchingofskirtsandskirmishingforthepositionofrearguardintheattackingforce，followed。
　　Onceoutside，thecentipedeseemedtohavedisappeared，andhisprospectivemurderersbeganathoroughbutcautioussearchfortheirvictim。
　　EveninthemidstofsuchadangerousandabsorbingadventureOctaviawasconsciousofanawedcuriosityonfindingherselfinTeddy'ssanctum。Inthatroomhesatalone，silentlycommuningwiththosesecretthoughtsthathenowsharedwithnoone，dreamedtherewhateverdreamshenowcalledonnoonetointerpret。
　　ItwastheroomofaSpartanorasoldier。Inonecornerstoodawide，canvas-coveredcot；inanother，asmallbookcase；inanother，agrimstandofWinchestersandshotguns。Animmensetable，strewnwithletters，papersanddocumentsandsurmountedbyasetofpigeon-
　　holes，occupiedoneside。
　　Thecentipedeshowedgeniusinconcealinghimselfinsuchbarequarters。Mrs。Maclntyrewaspokingabroom-handlebehindthebookcase。OctaviaapproachedTeddy'scot。Theroomwasjustasthemanagerhadleftitinhishurry。TheMexicanmaidhadnotyetgivenitherattention。Therewashisbigpillowwiththeimprintofhisheadstillinthecentre。ShethoughtthehorridbeastmighthaveclimbedthecotandhiddenitselftobiteTeddy。Centipedeswerethuscruelandvindictivetowardmanagers。
　　Shecautiouslyoverturnedthepillow，andthenpartedherlipstogivethesignalforreinforcementsatsightofalong，slender，darkobjectlyingthere。But，repressingitintime，shecaughtupaglove，apearl-grayglove，flattened——itmightbeconceived——bymany，manymonthsofnightlypressurebeneaththepillowofthemanwhohadforgottentheHammersmiths'ball。Teddymusthaveleftsohurriedlythatmorningthathehad，foronce，forgottentotransferittoitsresting-placebyday。
　　Evenmanagers，whoarenotoriouslywilyandcunning，aresometimescaughtupwith。
　　Octaviaslidthegraygloveintothebosomofhersum-
　　merymorninggown。Itwashers。Menwhoputthem-
　　selveswithinastrongbarbed-wirefence，andrememberHammersmithballsonlybythetalkofminersaboutsluice-
　　boxes，shouldnotbeallowedtopossesssucharticles。
　　Afterall，whataparadisethisprairiecountrywas!
　　Howitblossomedliketherosewhenyoufoundthingsthatwerethoughttobelost!Howdeliciouswasthatmorningbreezecominginthewindows，freshandsweetwiththebreathoftheyellowratamablooms!Mightonenotstand，foraminute，withshining，far-gazingeyes，anddreamthatmistakesmightbecorrected？
　　WhywasMrs。Maclntyrepokingaboutsoabsurdlywithabroom？
　　"I'vefoundit，"saidMrs。MacIntyre，bangingthedoor。
　　"Hereitis。"
　　"Didyoulosesomething？askedOctavia，withsweetlypolitenon-interest。
　　"Thelittledevil!"saidMrs。Maclntyre，driventoviolence。"Ye'venoforgottenhimalretty？"
　　Betweenthemtheyslewthecentipede。ThuswasherewardedforhisagencytowardtherecoveryofthingslostattheHammersmiths'ball。
　　ItseemsthatTeddy，induecourse，rememberedtheglove，andwhenhereturnedtothehouseatsunsetmadeasecretbutexhaustivesearchforit。Notuntilevening，uponthemoonliteasterngallery，didhefindit。Itwasuponthehandthathehadthoughtlosttohimforever，andsohewasmovedtorepeatcertainnonsensethathehadbeencommandednever，nevertoutteragain。Teddy'sfencesweredown。
　　Thistimetherewasnoambitiontostandintheway，andthewooingwasasnaturalandsuccessfulasshouldbebetweenardentshepherdandgentleshepherdess。
　　Theprairieschangedtoagarden。TheRanchodelasSombrasbecametheRanchofLight。
　　AfewdayslaterOctaviareceivedaletterfromMr。
　　Bannister，inreplytooneshehadwrittentohimaskingsomequestionsaboutherbusiness。Aportionoftheletterranasfollows:
　　"Iamatalosstoaccountforyourreferencestothesheepranch。Twomonthsafteryourdeparturetotakeupyourresidenceuponit，itwasdiscoveredthatColonelBeaupree'stitlewasworthless。Adeedcametolightshowingthathedisposedofthepropertybeforehisdeath。
　　Thematterwasreportedtoyourmanager，Mr。Westlake，whoatoncerepurchadtheproperty。Itisentirelybeyondmypowersofconjecturetoimaginehowyouhaveremainedinignoranceofthisfact。Ibegyouthatwillatonceconferwiththatgentleman，whowill，atleast，corroboratemystatement。"
　　OctaviasoughtTeddy，withbattleinhereye。
　　"Whatareyouworkingonthisranchfor？"sheaskedoncemore。
　　"Onehundred——"hebegantorepeat，butsawinherfacethatsheknew。SheheldMr。Bannister'sletterinherhand。Heknewthatthegamewasup。
　　"It'smyranch，"saidTeddy，likeaschoolboydetectedinevil。"It'samightypoormanagerthatisn'tabletoabsorbtheboss'sbusinessifyougivehimtime。"
　　"Whywereyouworkingdownhere？"pursuedOctaviastillstrugglingafterthekeytotheriddleofTeddy。
　　"Totellthetruth，'Tave，"saidTeddy，withquietcandour，"itwasn'tforthesalary。Thataboutkeptmeincigarsandsunburnlotions。Iwassentsouthbymydoctor。'Twasthatrightlungthatwasgoingtothebadonaccountofover-exerciseandstrainatpoloandgym-
　　nastics。Ineededclimateandozoneandrestandthingsofthatsort。"
　　InaninstantOctaviawascloseagainstthevicinityoftheaffectedorgan。Mr。Bannister'sletterflutteredtothefloor。
　　"It's——it'swellnow，isn'tit，Teddy？"
　　"Soundasamesquitechunk。Ideceivedyouinonething。IpaidfiftythousandforyourranchassoonasIfoundyouhadnotitle。Ihadjustaboutthatmuchincomeaccumulatedatmybanker'swhileI'vebeenherdingsheepdownhere，soitwasalmostlikepickingthethinguponabargain-counterforapenny。There'sanotherlittlesurplusofunearnedincrementpilingupthere，'Tave。I'vebeenthinkingofaweddingtripinayachtwithwhiteribbonstiedtothemast，throughtheMediterranean，andthenupamongtheHebridesanddownNorwaytotheZuyderZee。"
　　"AndIwasthinking，"saidOctavia，softly，"ofaweddinggallopwithmymanageramongtheflocksofsheepandbacktoaweddingbreakfastwithMrs。Mae-
　　Intyreonthegallery，with，maybe，asprigoforangeblossomfastenedtotheredjarabovethetable。"
　　Teddylaughed，andbegantochant:
　　"LittleBo-Peephaslosthersheep，Anddoesn'tknowwheretofind'em。
　　Let'emalone，andthey'llcomehome，And——"
　　Octaviadrewhisheaddown，andwhisperedinhisear，Butthatisoneofthetalestheybroughtbehindthem。